Electric switch



y 30, 1944- I E. F. KALVIN 2,350,043

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 4, 1940 "w 6 Edwin F/(a/r/lz, R I INVENTOR.

WATTORNEY.

Patented May 30, 1944 ELECTRIC SWITCH Edwin F. Kalvin, Bronson, Mich., assignor to H. A. Douglas Mfg. 00., Bronson, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application November 4, 1940, Serial No. 364,224

1 Claim. (01.200-11) This invention relates generally to electrical switches, and primarily to the rotary type which is preferably used in conjunction with automotive electrical equipment.

One object 01' the invention is to provide an electric switch having improved means for predetermining the various rotary positions of the operating means for the switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved contact carrier, which is provided with rests or hearing portions between the contacts secured thereto.

. A further object is to provide a switch which may be economically manufactured and assembled on a commercial basis.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent by refer-ring to the description hereinafter set forth in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an enlarged top view of the electric switch embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom view, on a smaller scale, of the contact carrier forming a part of the switch;

Figure 4 is a botton view of the switch with parts removed for the purposes of showing certain details of construction;

Figure 5 illustrates top and sectional views of a part of the contact carrier; and

Figure 6 depicts views of the operating means and certain related parts employed for operating the switch.

The switch herein illustrated includes a substantially cupped shaped casing generally designated I, having oppositely disposed arcuate side walls 2 and 3, which are formed by cutting and striking out portions 4 which provide continuations of the end wall of the casing. These continuations are disposed diametrically opposite to each other and provide tabs having holes through which means may be extended for securing the switch to a suitable support, such as the instrument panel of an automotive vehicle. The end wall of the casing is provided with a central circular aperture, and a cylindrical tubular bearing member 5 is firmly secured within this aperture by fitting the inner reduced extremity of the bushing into the aperture, and oversetting a portion of the extremity over against the under side of the end wall, as indicated at 6 in Figure 2.

Operating means, preferably in the form of a cylindrical stem or shaft 1 of insulating material is rotatably mounted within the bearing 5, and as clearly shown, its outer extremity may be knurled to provide a better grip for the operator, and its inner extremity is preferably provided with a transverse generally circular flange 8 whereby to limit the outward movement of the stem. A well 9, of a predetermined cross-section, extends invvardly for a predetermined distance from the innor extremity of the stern, and within this well is disposed a tubular member ll] of a cross-section corresponding to that of the well, so as to prevent rotation of the member with respect to the stem. The tubular member I!) may be said to be provided with a recess. Resilient means in the form of a helical spring I l is arranged within the recess of the tubular member IS, with one end engaging the bottom of the well and the other engaging the inner reduced closed oblong end I 2 of member it). This spring functions to normally urge the stem 1 outwardly and member ID inwardly with respect to the switch casing.

The integral flange 8 on the stem 1 is preferably provided with a pair of laterally extending wing portions i3 and i4, arranged on one side of the diametrical axis of said flange. These wing portions are of the same radial extent; and may be of the same circumferential extent, but as herein shown, the wing I3 is made slightly wider than wing I4. These portions, in effect, provide a bifurcation.

An annular ring or positioning member 15 is carried by the inner extremity of the stem 1, and will now be described. The ring I5 is of substantially the same diameter as the flange 8, and is provided with a central aperture so as to receive the stem, and as clearly shown, is arranged between the overset 6 of the bushing 5 and the flange 8. This ring has a pair of outwardly extending integral wing portions i6 and l'( which are of substantially the same radial and circumferential extent as the wing portions l3 and M, respectively, and are adapted to engage and overlie the latter. This ring is also provided with a pair of oppositely disposed depending or longitudinally extending tongue portions l8 and I9, which form a bifurcation which loosely embraces the flange 8, and are disposed to engage the wing portions [3 and 14 so that the ring [5 cannot rotate with respect to the stem. The end wall of the switch casing is preferably provided with a struck-in portion 20 which serves as a stop, which, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 6, is located in the bifurcation formed by the wing portions 13 and M for predetermining the extent of the rotation of the stem and parts associated therewith.

The means employed assisting to predetermine the various positions of the switching mechanism will now be briefly described. The overset flange 6 formed on the bearing 5, as clearly illustrated in Figure 6, is provided with a pair of seats or pockets 2| and 22, and the ring l5, above referred to, is provided with a bulged portion or detent 23 which extends from the ring in a direction opposite to that of the tongue portions l8 and IQ for cooperating with the seats 2| and 22. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, when the wing portions l3 and N of the ring are in engagement with the stop 20 formed on the end wall of the switch casing, the detent 23 is in registry with the seat 2|. When the parts are so engaged the bridge member generally designated 24 is in a position to place the switch in an on position, and when the stem 1 of the switch is rotated in the opposite direction so that the wing portions l4 and I1 engage the stop 2|] the detent 23 will snap into the seat 22 to maintain the switch in an o position. Obviously, any desirable number of de tents and seats may be provided.

The metal bridge member 24, above referred to, is carried by the tubular member ID, and among other things, includes a substantially flat outer annular portion 25 from which projects a plurality of contacts 25, 2'1, and 28, preferably spaced apart 120, as shown in Figure 4. The bridge 24 also includes a frusto-conical portion 29, having a wall 30 arranged substantially parallel to portion 25. This wall portion 29 is preferably pro vided with an oblong aperture so as to receive the reduced oblong extremity l2 of the tubular member Hi. This arrangement provides a driving connection between the stem 1 and bridge member 24 whereby the bridge may be rotated to cooperate with spaced apart contacts carried by a contact carrier 3!).

The contact carrier 30 is preferably constructed of relatively thin insulating material, and preferably made oblong in shape. One extremity 3| of the carrier is preferably made of a size to close off one end of the switch casing, and its other extremity 32, which. may be termed an offset, supports parts which will be described later. The circular marginal edge of extremity 3| is provided with a pair of spaced apart notches 33, and an aperture 34 is provided in the carrier intermediate the said extremities. The arcuate portion 3 of the switch casing is provided with a pair of fingers 35 and the portion 2 with a finger 36, These notches and aperture receive the pair of fingers 35 and finger 36. respectively, which fingers are clinched over against the outer surface of the carrier 3!] for holding same in relation to the switch casing.

The extremity 3| of the carrier is also provided with a generally circular track formed by three spaced apart elevated arcuate portions 31, 38, and 39, which are preferably extruded from the carrier. These portions are of the same arcuate extent and the upper surface of each. lies in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the carrier, and provide rests or tracks for the contacts 26 through 23 of the bridge. Between these rest-s are stationary rivet contacts 40, 4 and 42, which are preferably spaced apart 120 to correspond with the spacing of the bridge contacts 26, 27, and 28. The upper surface of the circular heads of the contacts 4|! through 42 are disposed in a flush position with respect to the upper surface of the arcuate portions 3! through 39 so that the bridge may ride smoothly over the stationary contacts and tracks. The shank of the contact 40 extends through an aperture provided therefor in the carrier 30, and likewise through the base portion 43 of the terminal post generally designated 44, and is headed over to firmly secure the post to the carrier. The post generally designated 45, is likewise connected to the carrier by the rivet contact 4|. Each of the terminal posts 44 and 45 is provided with an outstanding portion 46, to which a screw 47 is secured so that a conductor wire may be detachably connected to the post. In order to prevent rotation of the posts relative to the carrier, the base portion 43 of each post is provided with a lug 48, which fits into an aperture 49 in the carrier.

As clearly shown in Figure 2, a fuse clip 50 and a terminal post 5| are preferably secured to the extremity 32 of the carrier by means of a rivet 52. Although it is not necessary, the base portion of the terminal post 5| is fittingly arranged to engage the base of the clip, and a finger 53 on the base of the post projects into the aperture 34 so as to prevent rotation of the clip and post with respect to each other and to the carrier. This terminal post 5| also'includes an angular portion to which a screw 55 is connected so that a conducto wire may be detachably connected thereto. A fuse clip 56 is secured to the extremity 3| of carrier by the stationary contact rivet 42, and a fuse 51 is shown detachably connected to the fuse clips 50 and 56. Thus, it will be evident that'the fuse clips 50 and 55, and the terminal post 5! are longitudinally arranged in line with reference to the length of carrier 33, and that the posts 44 and 45 are disposed on opposite sides of and at an angle with respect to said line.

In view of the foregoing, it will be clearly apparent that when the detent 23 is in registry with the seat 22 formed on thebearing 5, that the switch is in an off position, in which position the bridge contacts 26, 21, and 28 are in engagement with the elevated arcuate portions 3'1, 38, and 39, respectively. When the operating means or stem 1 is rotated to the extent limited by the stop 20, the detent 23 snaps into the seat 2|, to place the switch in an on position with the three contacts 26, 21, and 28 engaging the stationary contacts 40, 4|, and 42', respectively, to establish electrical connection between the terminal posts 44, 45, and 5|. When the switch is returned to the off position, the detent 23 will snap into the seat 22. The terminal post 5| is the battery terminal, and is adapted to be connected to a source of electricity, such as the storage battery of an automobile, and it will be apparent that When the switch is in an on position, current will flow from the terminal 5| through fuse clip 50, fuse 51, fuse clip 56, terminal 42, and bridge 24 to the terminal posts 44 and 45, which in turn may be connected to some desirable electrical apparatus, such as the fog and tail lamps of an automobile. Obviously, when the current exceeds that contemplated, the fuse will be blown to render the switch automatically inoperative.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided an electric switch embodying improved principles of design and construction.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same ,without departing from the spirit of the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form,

construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

An electric switch including, a casing, a tubular bearing secured to and extending through a wall thereof, a carrier carrying contacts supported by said casing, bridge means operatively related to said contacts, handle means mounted within said bearing, said handle means being provided with an opening, recessed means nonrotatable with respect to said handle means slidably mounted in said opening connected to said bridge means whereby movement of said handle means will rotate said bridge means, cooperating means provided on said bearing, means provided on said handle mean engageable with said cooperating means for predetermining at least one position of said bridge means, and resilient means disposed in the opening of said handle means and having a part disposed in the recess of said recessed means for urging said means slidable in the said opening into engagement with said bridge means for urging the latter toward said contacts and the means provided on the handle means toward said cooperating means.

EDWIN F. KALVIN. 

